‘In a great measure, perhaps,’ answered Redgauntlet; ‘but the policy which raised the Highland regiments has provided for that. We have already friends in these corps; nor can we doubt for a moment what their conduct will be when the white cockade is once more mounted. The rest of the standing army has been greatly reduced since the peace; and we reckon confidently on our standard being joined by thousands of the disbanded troops.’
‘Alas!’ said Darsie, ‘and is it upon such vague hopes as these, the inconstant humour of a crowd or of a disbanded soldiery, that men of honour are invited to risk their families, their property, their life?’
‘Men of honour, boy,’ said Redgauntlet, his eyes glancing with impatience, ‘set life, property, family, and all at stake, when that honour commands it! We are not now weaker than when seven men, landing in the wilds of Moidart, shook the throne of the usurper till it tottered—won two pitched fields, besides overrunning one kingdom and the half of another, and, but for treachery, would have achieved what their venturous successors are now to attempt in their turn.’
‘And will such an attempt be made in serious earnest?’ said Darsie. ‘Excuse me, my uncle, if I can scarce believe a fact so extraordinary. Will there really be found men of rank and consequence sufficient to renew the adventure of 1745?’
‘I will not give you my confidence by halves, Sir Arthur,’ replied his uncle—‘Look at that scroll—what say you to these names?—Are they not the flower of the western shires—of Wales of Scotland?’
‘The paper contains indeed the names of many that are great and noble,’ replied Darsie, after perusing it; ‘but’—
‘But what?’ asked his uncle, impatiently; ‘do you doubt the ability of those nobles and gentlemen to furnish the aid in men and money at which they are rated?’
‘Not their ability certainly,’ said Darsie, ‘for of that I am no competent judge; but I see in this scroll the name of Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet of that Ilk, rated at a hundred men and upwards—I certainly am ignorant how he is to redeem that pledge.’
‘I will be responsible for the men,’ replied Hugh Redgauntlet.
‘But, my dear uncle,’ added Darsie, ‘I hope for your sake that the other individuals whose names are here written, have had more acquaintance with your plan than I have been indulged with.’